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Ranji Trophy 2016-17, Round 9, match report: Tamil Nadu, Gujarat qualify for quarter-finals after a tame draw

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat advanced to the quarter-final round of the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 despite their Group A match ending in a tame draw.

Tamil Nadu earned 3 points after the contest © Getty Images (Representation photo)
Tamil Nadu earned 3 points after the contest © Getty Images (Representation photo)

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat advanced to the quarter-final round of the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 despite their Group A match ending in a tame draw, at the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) ground in Belgavi.  The Tamil Nadu batsmen developed a special fondness towards batting as they went on scoring runs for close to three days in the four-day contest. Gujarat were bowled out for a little above 307, with Priyank Kirit Panchal getting yet another century. In their reply, Tamil Nadu went on to post as many as 580 for 6 declared, with most of their batsmen making a merry in what turned out to be a lame run-fest.

Batting first, Gujarat hobbled to 307 in their first innings. Panchal scored 113 and Gujarat captain Akshar Patel ended up as the second highest run-getter with 44 runs. In their reply, Laxmesha Suryaprakash fell for mere 6 runs, but the other opener and senior batsmen Abhinav Mukund was dismissed one run short of a century. But Kaushik Gandhi did what Mukund couldn’t, as he made a fabulous 202 off as many as 538 balls with 25 boundaries. His marathon innings did not include a six. Baba Indrajith scored 66, whereas Baba Aparajith scored 54 off 156 balls with 3 boundaries.

Vijay Shankar looked set for a big score but he was retired hurt when he reached 102. Shankar faced 233 balls and clobbered 13 boundaries during his innings. Based on the first innings lead, Tamil Nadu got 3 points whereas Gujarat had to toil for 1 point.

Brief scores:

Gujarat 307 (Priyank Panchal 113, Akshar Patel 44; T Natarajan 3 for 86, Aswin Crist 2 for 55) drew with Tamil Nadu 580 for 6 decl. (Abhinav Mukund 99, Kaushik Gandhi 202*, Baba Indrajith 66, Vijay Shankar 102 (retd hurt), Baba Aparajith; Rush Kalaria 2 for 47).

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